Digital Etiquette

learning objectives

Understand the consequences for cyber-bulling and negative online behaviors.

digital etiquette overview

Etiquette is a term that should not be new. Some may consider citizenship to be synonymous with having some degree of etiquette. When one uses the internet or digital tools, they should transfer etiquette they have learned and practiced in their non-digital life. Traditionally, children learned proper etiquette from their parents, but in the new online environment, those norms are no so defined. It is not uncommon for children to see adults (especially their parents) behaving inappropriately online. Those behaviors become the child's learned behaviors. It can be a viscous cycle until the behaviors are changed. Schools have a unique opportunity to teach proper digital etiquette through specific programs and by weaving etiquette themes throughout their lessons. These opportunities can help make students aware of their online behavior and how it may affect others (see Digital Communication). Students need to be aware of what cyber-bullying and threatening behaviors are, and understand that the results of such behavior can be severe and sometimes tragic.

According to Ribble (2015), Alexander (2012) states that 9 out of 10 college students admit to texting during class, and 1 in 10 text during an exam. So the need for etiquette in schools goes beyond just social and emotional behaviors. In general, schools and teachers rarely have any tolerance for off task behaviors or cheating, so these stats should be alarming enough to initiate concern for digital etiquette.

Connections to personal experience

Digital étiquette is something that affects every internet user. Unfortunately for must of us, technology use has grown faster than we can keep up with it. People's lack of knowledge and understanding of these tools has perpetuated digital etiquette issues throughout society. A number of years ago, I decided to stop using Facebook because of online "drama" that occurred between a family member of mine and one of my acquaintances. I didn't realize that there was friction between the two until I mentioned the acquaintance's name to my family member. When I was informed of the "conflict" that these two adults had through Facebook, I was disappointed with the situation, and frustrated with the tool that hosted it. I realize that Facebook wan't really to blame. It was the lack of digital etiquette on the part of the acquaintance that caused it. Kind of like "shooting the messenger" I guess. Regardless, because of the lack of etiquette in this situation, and other situations like it, I emancipated myself from Facebook and never looked back. In retrospect, I don't miss it, and I'm sure the inappropriate behavior continues. Even without me.

connections to field/discipline

Perhaps not by coincidence, there is an overlapping theme between these elements that results in connections to field/disciplines to sound very similar. Many of the issues that a lack of digital etiquette cause result in negative digital communication behaviors. Beyond occurrences of bullying and threatening behaviors by middle school kids that I encountered as a principal, there are other negative issues that I see from an instructional designer standpoint. These etiquette deficiencies deal more with a lack of understanding about how to effectively use social media or collaborative tools. In these cases, this blends with digital literacy problems which can lead to bad online experiences for users. Beyond lack of understandings, etiquette issues in higher education can take on more of an academic focus. As indicated by Ribble (2015), 90% of college students admit to texting during class, and 10% admit to doing it during an exam. How many don't admit it? These academic, I'll call them "white collar" etiquette issues must be addressed through better understandings of digital etiquette.

NPR Broadcasts

Would It Kill You To Stop Doing That? Rethinks RudeJanuary 17, 2012Runtime: 30:18

​This interview is about history and modern day issues that arise from lack of respect and etiquette including behaviors that we encounter in person and in the digital world. Many of the ideas and tips included in this interview can be transferred to the digital world.

As millennials become more and more influential in the workforce and society, their brand of etiquette will become more and more the norm. Access to digital communication has changed the landscape of what it deemed appropriate and what is considered "out of style". This piece looks at millennials preferred choice of communication, and how things such as voicemail is becoming a thing of the past.

We Ask The Pros: Should You Friend Your Boss On Facebook?May 21, 2012Runtime: 2:46

Is it appropriate to friend, or accept a friend request form your boss? Ask The Pros gives tips on how to handle this situation in order to balance work and personal life. Knowing what to allow each other to see.